FSA Drives ISIS out of Wide Areas in Syrian Desert

FSA groups have driven ISIS out of wide areas in the Syrian Desert following a major offensive that was launched on Saturday, activists said.

The ISIS positions that fell to the FSA groups in the area, also known as the Hamad Desert, included Zaza checkpoint, Alsees Mount, Bayar checkpoint, Makhoul checkpoint, Makhoul hill, and Reesha dam. The gains were part of the first phase of the offensive, activists added.

The FSA groups have also been locked in a number of battles against the extremist group in northern and southern Syria. They dealt ISIS a heavy blow when they captured the strategic town of Albab northeast of Aleppo on February 23.

In Deir Ezzor province, meanwhile, a number of FSA groups announced the formation of the Unified Military Council in Deir Ezzor with the aim of liberating the province from the extremist group.

In a statement released on Sunday, the groups said that in addition to ISIS, they will fight against the Assad regime and the separatist militias. They called upon FSA officers, groups, and fighters in Deir Ezzor province to join the new formation. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department + Inab Baladi News Network)